Phillip's breathing was labored as the doctor and Charity helped him back into bed. His wound flared with fresh pain and Phillip groaned, loudly. Tears leaked from his eyes and blurred already fuzzy vision. When the door opened, it took him a moment to realize who it was.
"A-Anne?" he gasped.
"Hi." She smiled sadly and sat on the edge of his bed. Taking one of his hands in hers, she brought it up to her lips and kissed his knuckles. His fingers shook.
"Anne," he whispered. "I—"
He squeezed his eyes shut, tried to stop the tears. She wiped a tear from his cheek and he opened his eyes to meet hers. They were devastated, red-rimmed. She took a deep breath.
"We talked," she murmured. "And we - we don't want to close the circus, Phillip. We don't think that's - that's not what Barnum would have w-w—"
She choked on the last word, bowed her head. Anne, who had remained strong through the fire. Anne, who had dealt with discrimination and prejudice her whole life. Anne, who—
Who was one of the first ones to accept him and...Phineas.
"Phillip," she choked, squeezing his hand tight. Her next words came out in deep, shuddering breaths.
"Will you be our ringmaster?"
This took a Turn I was Not Expecting, but Anne is a Strong Independent Woman okay, you do you
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Burn (Barlyle) (COMPLETE)
FanfictionPhillip pushes Barnum away after the fire. Barnum struggles with what to do about the secrets of that night.
